Chapter 4

Getting To Know You

Something all of a sudden shook Izayoi out of her sleep, and her eyes shot open as she lurched up in sudden alarm.

"Wake up." A voice had said, and she saw Inu No Taisho leaned over her.

The moment Izayoi shot up out of her slumber, he leaned away, stood up, and began walking towards Ah-Un.

Groaning to herself, she stood up, stretched, and began walking after her companion.

…..

"Inu Taisho-dono?" Izayoi asked after about an hour of silence between the two.

"What?" he spit out at her.

"How long before we get to this Totosai person?" Izayoi was once again walking on top of a log, holding out her arms for balance.

"For the hundredth time, I DON'T KNOW." He said as he walked forward, not even glancing back at her.

"Ok, ok, sheesh." She mumbled, not expecting him to hear, but he turned his head towards her, and gave her a death glare, silencing her immediately.

The silence was practically KILLING her, and she could take it no longer.

"Inu Taisho-dono." She said after a while.

"What is it now?"

"I was wondering…..if you wanted to play a game?"

"A game?" he snorted, and he fell silent for a few seconds. "What kind of game?"

Izayoi's hopes lifted.

"Oh I don't know…..how about the 'Getting To Know You' game!"

"What is the 'Getting To Know You' game?" Inu No Taisho asked, glancing back at her, quirking up one eyebrow.

"It's a game where we each ask each other questions, to get to know each other better!" Izayoi said excitedly, with a huge grin on her face.

"More questions?" he said.

"Yes! So shall we begin? It will make time go by faster." She encouraged.

Inu No Taisho sighed, but nodded.

"Ok, I guess I'll go first." She mumbled to herself.

"What's your favorite color?" she asked enthusiastically.

"Blue." He replied.

"Mine's pink. Ok you're turn!" Izayoi cheered.

"Alright," he sighed, and was silent for a while "Why is your hair so long?"

"Because I like it that way! And my maid Chizu says it is proper for a young lady. Why is yours so long?"

"It's a family tradition. What has been your favorite thing on this journey so far?"

"Playing my flute. What was your favorite time on this trip?"

"When you are quiet. What will you do once you go back to Takatenjin?"

"Climb a tree and go swimming. What will you do once you've returned to the western palace?"

"Kill someone. What is your favorite food?"

"Chicken with fresh rice! What's yours?"

"Deer. Stop turning all my questions around."

"I'm sorry Inu Taisho-dono, I just wanted time to go by faster, and everything you ask makes me want to know more about you."

Touga stopped, nearly causing Izayoi to bump into him.

"You wish to know about me?" he asked, turning to look at her, a slight-smile?- grazing his face.

Izayoi blushed. "Yes."

"So this is a good time for you to delve into my personality, is that it?"

"No Taisho-dono!" Izayoi said quickly and then blushed again, "I only wanted to make time go by faster."

Touga scowled as he turned his head away from her and they continued walking.

"You may continue," Touga said after a few minutes of silence, "I believe it is your turn."

Izayoi smiled cheerfully, "What is your name?"

"Still none of your business. How many sisters do you have?"

"Three. Do you have any siblings?"

"No. What are your sisters' names?"

"Mizuki, Saki, and Ayame. Why do you wish to know?"

"If you are brave enough to meddle in MY personal affairs, then I will certainly meddle in yours. How did your mother die?"

"Red Fever. Mizuki and I had it as well, but we survived. How did you know she was dead?"

"There was no one at Takatenjin that bore a familiar scent to you, other than your sisters and your father. Have you ever fallen in love?"

"No. I am only 16, and I am engaged to Takemaru of Satsuma. Have you?"

"Of course not! I am a demon, I have no need for love."

There was silence for a while, before Izayoi gently reminded him that it was his turn.

"Are any of your other sisters engaged?"

"No, for they are not forced to find love like I am, for I am next in line for the throne. You say you have no need for love, but do you have a desire for it?"

"My life was perfectly fine before I got this cursed shackle and I have no wish to change it," he said stiffly. "Why did you put on the twin shackle?"

She hesitated. "I thought it looked different than my other jewelry."

So, she wanted to be different than her usual routine. That was hardly surprising, as a human in her position would have her life planned out for her. She had an overwhelming urge to break the rules.

"Why did you?"

"My father forced it on me just before he died. Do you fear your marriage to Takemaru?"

She bit her soft lip. "Yes," she admitted.

There was a silence.

"It is your turn."

"Do you like me?" she blurted out.

"Yes."

Her eyes widened and there was dead silence.

"I mean-NO!" he covered quickly.

"Why do you wish to know?" Touga asked after another dead silence.

"Because-I….I….don't-know…" she trailed off, and there was silence.

"Enough with this game." Touga said in a hard voice, and there was silence.

Even though his voice was hard and cold, Izayoi knew that underneath it all, Inu no Taisho was sweet, and kind, and she smiled at thinking this, before she reached into her bag, and pulled out her flute, and began to play.(A Narnia Lullaby from the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe)

The tune is soothing, Touga thought. And yet it carries sadness along with it.

But, taking in a deep breath, Touga quickened his pace, as they kept on traveling.